13 exciting outdoor winter activities for kids

Ah, the great outdoors! There’s nothing quite like the feel of the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, right? But what happens when it’s winter and the weather is cold? How do you entertain kids in cold weather?

If the sun is shining, no matter the weather, then it’s time to bring out some exciting outdoor winter activities for kids. Do you know who needs that natural Vitamin D boost more than we adults do? Our kids!

We frequently struggle to get our kids away from their devices and encourage them to play outside in this age of video games and cartoons, especially during the winter months when cabin fever is at its highest.

So, how do you get them outside?

No fear! We have a list of entertaining outdoor winter games to keep your kids engaged, even when it’s brisk out there. What are your favourite winter outdoor activities for kids? Share in the comments below if we’ve missed yours in our guide.

Why is it important to play outside in the winter?

Playing outside in the winter is essential for child development for lots of reasons. Here are some benefits of outdoor play in the winter:

Improves physical health

Winter play helps children continue their physical activity year-round, maintaining fitness and strengthening immunity.

Exposes kids to more Vitamin D

Shorter and darker days mean less sunlight exposure indoors. Playing outside, even on cloudy days, helps kids get a healthy dose of the sunshine vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and a functional immune system.

Develops skills

Playing on different terrains, especially snowy or icy ones, challenges kids to develop new motor skills and coordination.

Boosts creativity

A change in season transforms familiar surroundings, prompting kids to engage in different play and use their imagination in new ways.

Boosts mental health

Outdoor play can boost mood, reduce anxiety, and help combat seasonal affective disorder.

Creates resistance and builds adaptability

Exposure to varying temperatures and conditions teaches children to adapt and become resilient.

Develops social skills

Group snowball fights, building snowmen, or collaborative winter games can foster teamwork and improve social interactions.

Helps kids appreciate nature

Witnessing seasonal changes first-hand instils an appreciation for nature and the environment.

Improves sleep

Physical activity in the cold can lead to better sleep quality.

Combats cabin fever

Breaking the indoor monotony can reduce feelings of restlessness and provide a change in the environment.

Great for sensory development

The winter environment offers unique sensory experiences, from the crunch of snow underfoot to the feel of cold air, which can stimulate cognitive development.

How to prep for safe outdoor winter play with kids

Although outdoor winter activities are fun, you do need to exercise a bit of extra caution in the winter with kids playing outside. Preparing for safe outdoor winter play with kids needs some planning and awareness so children can stay warm, dry, and injury-free. Here are some tips to ensure safety:

Dress in layers

It’s important to dress in layers during the winter so your temperature is regulated, by adding and taking away garments, especially when you’re walking in cold weather.

You can start with a moisture-wicking layer, like synthetic materials or wool, which can help pull moisture away from the body. Avoid cotton as it keeps moisture in and makes you feel colder.

Then insulate with a middle layer like fleece or wool to trap the warmth. The outer layer can be waterproof and windproof to protect against the snow, rain and wind.

You can add other warm accessories like gloves/mittens, a thick hat that covers the ears, a snug-fitting scarf/neck warmer and waterproof boots.

You need sun protection, even in the winter!

Even during winter, the sun can be intense during family winter walks, especially when reflected off the snow. Use sunscreen on exposed skin and put on sunglasses or goggles with UV protection.

Stay dry

Wet clothes can cool down your body, so have an extra set of gloves and socks, as these tend to get wet first. Change any wet clothing immediately. It’s important you appropriately dress for winter walking, so you can have maximum fun!

Check the weather

Extremely low temperatures and wind chills can lead to frostbite quickly. Limit outdoor play during severe conditions. You don’t need to brave all the seasons!

Set time limits

When it’s very cold, limit the playtime to around twenty minutes with breaks inside to warm up.

Hydrate and refuel

Cold air and physical activity can lead to dehydration, so make sure to drink lots of water and have energy-boosting snacks high in protein.

Make sure your kids are playing in a safe environment

Check the play area for hazards like icy patches, open water, or snowbanks near roads. Teach kids about the dangers of roads, especially if playing near them. If you’re ice skating, ensure the ice is thick and solid. Also teach children to come inside if they feel numbness or if their clothes are wet. Check for signs of frostbite, including pale, gray or blistered skin on the fingers, ears, nose and toes.

Be aware of the signs of hypothermia like shivering, slurred speech, clumsiness, and confusion.

Stay together

Make sure you’re always around the younger kids. For older children, make sure they play outdoor group games and set boundaries for where they can go.

Warm up as soon as you come inside

When coming back indoors, remove all wet clothes immediately. Warm up with blankets and a warm drink. Avoid hot baths or showers right away as they can rapidly change the temperature and shock the body.

How do I get my child to play outside in the winter?

The benefits of spending time outside during the winter far outweigh sitting at home in the warmth and staring at a screen. Dressing appropriately, however, can help motivate your child to go outside if they feel the cold more than others and rewarding them for the effort with fun activities will encourage them to stay outside too.

But, most of the time, it’s the adult who doesn’t want to brave the seasons! And, that’s perfectly understandable! I was like that for many, many years until my then three-year-old refused to step into the car to go to nursery every day. So we walked the 25 minutes to and from nursery, even through the harshest winter months and we barely got sick that year! He single-handedly changed my opinion of the cold.

13 of the best outdoor winter play activities for kids

We all know that outdoor play is essential for children’s development and growth. And what better way to keep your kids entertained while giving them the physical activity they need than with classic outdoor games? 

Here are 13 of the best winter activities for toddlers and kids that will have them giggling, running around and having fun under the winter sun:

Things to do with kids outside in winter – Go explore

Your child can be a winter wildlife detective and head out on an outdoor winter nature observation hunt. You can show your child the evergreens in winter where the leaves stay green all year around or find wildlife frozen in time. Outside winter science play not only provides the chance to learn about science for kids, but it also fosters physical health, emotional growth, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Winter offers unique sensory experiences, from the cold touch of snow to the crunch of frost underfoot. Exploring these sensations can stimulate your child’s curiosity about the world around them.

Help your child to learn about the states of matter by examining how water freezes or melts. They can also explore concepts like insulation, temperature fluctuations, and the principles behind ice fishing.

Fun outdoor winter activities for kids – Go on a winter hike

Go for walks to explore how the neighbourhood or local park changes in the winter. Look for animal tracks in the snow or gather pinecones.

Outdoor activities for kids this winter – Obsta-Course

Have you ever heard of the Obsta-Course? It’s a super fun way to get outside and get moving. Obsta-Course is all about navigating an obstacle course full of challenges like cones, tires, chairs, and other objects you can find around your yard. 

It will keep your kids delighted for hours while helping them become more agile and coordinated. Setting a time limit or including money bars in the mix are further ways to make it more difficult. Oh, and if you’re looking for equipment to set up your Obsta Course, be sure to view the range here.

Exciting outdoor winter activities for kids – Tag, You’re It!

Another classic outdoor game for all ages is tag. It’s a simple game where one person is designated as “it,” and then they must tag the other players. The players who aren’t must run away from the person who is before they get tagged. 

The tag can be spiced up with variations like “freeze tag”, which requires the player who has been tagged to freeze and stay still until another player unfreezes them. Or you can play flashlight tag at night, similar to regular tag but with a flashlight providing light.

Great outdoor winter activities for preschoolers – Hide and Seek

You can’t go wrong with a game of Hide and Seek. It’s a timeless classic that requires sharp minds and quick reflexes. All you need is an area with plenty of hiding places, such as trees, bushes, or furniture. 

One person will be the seeker, who has to count to ten while everyone else hides. The seekers must then find the other players to tag and extricate them. It’s a fantastic game that a small or large group of players may enjoy.

Ideas for winter activities for toddlers – Duck, Duck, Goose

One of the great outdoor activities for toddlers in winter can include the popular game Duck, Duck, Goose. It’s a terrific technique to get kids moving and make them giggle. All you need is a roomy, open location where you may move about. 

You start by choosing one player as the goose, who then walks around the circle tapping each person on the head, saying either “Duck” or “Goose”. When they eventually pick the goose, that player then has to chase after the original goose around the circle. If they manage to tag them before they return to their spot, they become the new goose. 

Fun winter activities for kids – Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag is an exciting game that yields plenty of physical activity and strategy in a large open space. Divide your players into two teams and assign each team a flag or other item to defend. 

Each team must work together to protect their flag while stealing the other’s. The winning team is the first to seize both flags. This game is great for getting kids to work together and strategise in a fun, interactive way.

Outdoor winter activities without snow – Hopscotch

Hopscotch provides a fun twist on running and jumping games. You only need a simple hopscotch board drawn with chalk or other materials. 

Players must take turns hopping on one foot to and from each square while trying not to step on any lines. Kids can even build up their skills with some practice by hopping through the course with both feet. 

Games and activities to play in the snow – Go for a sled ride – a toddler’s favourite winter activity!

Outdoor snow activities can include an awesome sledge ride. You don’t need a proper sledge. Grab some plastic bags or even a baking tray and make your way down a slippery hill with speed!

Outdoor winter activities for kids at home – Have a winter picnic

A winter picnic can be a magical experience. Choose a location with a beautiful winter view, prepare some hot chocolate in a thermos, grab some snacks, and enjoy a hot picnic outside!

Indoor and outdoor winter activities for kids – Winter crafts for kids

Winter crafts are a delightful way for kids to express their creativity and celebrate the season.

At home activities during the winter can include ice painting with water, food colouring and paper. Simply mix water with the food colouring and freeze in ice cube trays. Once frozen, kids can ”paint” on paper using the coloured ice cubes.

Kids love anything related to family activities, so why not create your own photo frame using wintery materials and stick your favourite family photo inside!

Outdoor winter nature crafts can include stick crafts, creating bird feeders or ice ornaments by freezing water with natural items like berries and leaves inside.

Other winter-themed crafts can include:

• Snowflake cut-outs: Use blue or white paper and scissors, fold the paper multiple times and cut out designs to create unique snowflakes. Unfold and admire!
• Popsicle stick snowflakes: Grab some popsicle sticks, glue, glitter, and paint. Arrange popsicle sticks in snowflake shapes and glue together. Once dry, paint and sprinkle with glitter.
• Paper plate snowman: You’ll need paper plates, coloured paper, markers, glue, and yarn or fabric scraps. Use two paper plates as the body and head of a snowman. Decorate with paper cut-outs for eyes, nose, and buttons. Use yarn for a scarf.
• Pine cone trees: Find some pine cones, green paint, small pom-poms, glue, and glitter. Paint the pine cones green and let them dry. Glue colourful pom-poms as ornaments and sprinkle with glitter.
• Salt dough ornaments: You’ll need salt dough (made with salt, water, and flour), cookie cutters, and paint. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create shapes. Bake until hard. Once cool, paint and hang as ornaments.
• Sock snowmen: Find some white socks, rice, rubber bands, buttons, fabric scraps, and markers. Fill the sock with rice and tie or rubber band sections to create the snowman’s body segments. Decorate with buttons and fabric scraps.
• Snow Globe: You’ll need small jars, glycerin, glitter, waterproof trinkets or figurines, and water. Fill the jar mostly full with water, add a drop of glycerin and some glitter. Place the figurine inside and seal the jar. Shake and watch the snow fall.
• Winter Wreath: Use a paper plate, tissue paper (blue, white, silver), ribbon, glue. Cut the centre out of the paper plate. Glue crumpled pieces of tissue paper around the ring. Add a ribbon for hanging.

Best outdoor winter activities for kids – Go on a winter scavenger hunt

A winter scavenger hunt is a great nature-themed game and a fantastic way to engage with the chilly season, explore nature, and have some fun outdoors. Hide some items in your yard, a local park, a forest, or a favourite outdoor spot, and give your child a list of things to find. You can also use this readymade scavenger hunt printable.

A checklist of items can include:

• Pinecone
• Red berries
• Animal tracks in the snow
• Icicles
• Snowman (maybe not one already in your yard)
• Something frozen in ice (like a leaf or berry)
• A tree with snow on its branches
• A bird in flight
• A snowflake on black paper (bring along to capture and observe)
• Y-shaped twig

Family activities for winter – Explore a winter waterfall

Exploring a winter waterfall with kids can be a magical experience. The frozen landscapes and cascading ice formations can be mesmerising.

Safety first, though! Discuss safety rules with your kids before starting your exploration. For example, never approach the edge of the waterfall or any ice-covered areas without extreme caution. Keep a safe distance, as ice can break unexpectedly.

Also, use trekking poles or walking sticks for additional balance and support.

Final thoughts

Winter activities with kids are not just a fun way to keep your children entertained – they’re vital to their physical and mental well-being. 

When the cold sun is shining, there are plenty of outdoor activities in winter. Your backyard or local park can become a world of adventure. So step out into the cold sunshine and create those joyful, memories by playing these fun kids winter activities together.

What are your thoughts on surprising outdoor winter activities, no snow required, that kids can enjoy? What is your favourite outdoor winter activity? Share in the comments below!

*Collaborative feature post*